Dispensing container



w. s. SCHNEIDER ETAL 3,051,368

Aug. 28, 1962 DISPENSING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1958 My? 64 J6 [I z 17 20 H Mun/w 5. gcHlvs/aae, JAE/6 ,FZ'QEMCH,

INVENTORS:

Arm/ uay;

Aug. 28, 1962 w. s. SCHNEIDER ETAL 3,051,368

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Nov. 28. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (I ez fiQEA/CAL IN V EN TORS,

WZL/HM 5. SCW/VE/DEQ.

United States The present invention relates generally to containers for fluid or similar substances, and more especially to flexible containers which are particularly adapted to dispensing their contents either at one time or at intervals, in the latter case a portion of the contents being stored temporarily in the container. Containers of this character hold a larger amount than is intended to be ordinarily dispensed and used at a single time, as opposed to containers holding a smaller amount which is all emptied out at one time after the container is opened. The latter are commonly referred to as single-use packages whereas the former may be designated as multiple-use packages.

A multiple-use container preferably has characteristics which are of more value than in a single-use container that is immediately emptied. Certain characteristics make it possible for the container after being opened to serve satisfactorily as temporary storage for the unused portion of the original contents that is to be dispensed later. For example, it is desirable that the container have a shape such that the dispensing opening may be at or close to the highest point of the container when the container is resting on a supporting surface. Likewise it is desirable that the shape of the container be such that it is stable in position when so resting on a supporting surface and it is not likely to tip or otherwise lower the opening, which would permit the contents to spill or leak out accidentally. It is also desirable that the container have one portion which is more or less obviously a base upon which the container can rest in a position such that the dispensing opening is elevated. This also makes it possible for printing on the container to be automatically positioned for proper reading while the container is in the rest position.

Thus it becomes a general object of our invention to provide a dispensing container of novel design having a strong well-defined portion upon which the container can rest with a dispensing opening in elevated position above the level of the contents.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a container having such a shape that the container has a stable rest position and taking advantage of this position, the container has means defining a dispensing opening at a predetermined position where the opening will always be at or near the highest portion of the container when in said rest position.

It is also an object of our invention to provide a dispensing container that approaches closely a minimum amount of material in the container walls for the volume of the container.

Another object of our invention is to provide a container of the character described that can be made from a maximum range of heat-sealable materials.

Another object is to provide a container that has favorable characteristics for stocking on shelves or packing in cartons.

A further object of our invention is to provide a dispensing container of novel design and distinctive shape.

The above objects of our invention have been achieved 'in a container of generally tubular shape having at each of two opposite ends of the tube a closure that is formed by sealing together marginal portions of the tube in face-to-face relation to form three or more radially extending seals which meet centrally of the container and extend outwardly to positions near the circumference. While in a preferred embodiment there are three such radial seals, a larger number may be employed if deatent sired. The seals ar substantially equiangularly spaced in order to give maximum stability in all directions and the seals all have one edge lying substantially in a common plane so that the container may rest on these edges on a flat supporting surface.

The container is preferably made from stock having a moderate degree of stiffness. To secure a pleasing and uniform appearance, the stock is scored along arcuate lines, before forming the end seals. The score lines terminate at the ends of the radial seals and preferably extend axially of the container for not more than one third of the over all length of the container.

Although both ends of the container have closures formed in essentially the same way, it is preferable that one end, which becomes the upper end, have at least one of the radial seals formed with a broad sealed area. In this broad sealed area is a pouring channel located adjacent the outer end of the radial seal. This channel communicates at one end with the interior of the container and is closed at the other end by the seal. The seals at the upper ends of the container preferably do not have edges that lie in a common plane, thus making it possible to rest the container on the bottom end only.

How the above objects and advantages of our invention, as well as other not specifically referred to, are attained will be more readily apparent from the following description and the annexed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying our invention shown standing in one end on a supporting surface.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the container.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan of the container as indicated by line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse section through the cylindrical tube which becomes the container, showing two stages in the formation of the longitudinal seal closing the side of the tube.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a variational form of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of a container embodying another form of our invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a container embodying still another form of our invention having a central discharge opening.

FiG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the container with a stopper in and closing the centrally located discharge channel.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal section on line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation of the extreme top of the container of FIG. 8 after the stopper has been removed to open the discharge channel.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a finished container indicated generally at 10, constructed according to our invention. Since the construction and advantages of the container are most easily understood by referring to the steps involved in making the container, it will be described in this manner.

The container may conveniently be considered as being made from a tube of thin, sheet material, although as will be explained the invention is not limited by the manner in which this tube is produced. The original stock could be a seamless tubing cut to the desired length. However, the more usual practice is to form the tube from a continuous web of stock, the web being wrapped around a cylindrical mandrel and the longitudinal margins of the web are then sealed together to complete the tubular member 11. Formation of the tube, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 4, is the first stage in forming the completed container 10. This operation is disclosed in Rausing Patent No. 2,741,079 in which the margins of the web are overlapped and sealed by the application of heat and pressure, which includes the so-called electronic welding. This type of longitudinal seal is possible when the material can be sealed on two sides. A different type of longitudinal seal is formed according to our invention to permit use of stock that can be sealed on one side only. This latter type of seal is preferred since it makes possible the use of a full range of materials Without limitation as to whether the stock can be sealed on one or both faces. Also there is no limitation as to the nature of the seal or sealing agent since glue, cement, or pressure sensitive adhesives are known in the art and may be used as well as the preferred heat scalable materials.

The preferred types of stock are laminated or coated and typically include paper sheets coated on one or both sides with a synthetic resin or plastic substance. Another example is a paper sheet coated in this manner on one side only and having on the other side a metal foil. Various combinations of these" and other materials are available commercially and can be used in making flexible containers.

A preferred stock for making my improved container is a paper board of .005 inch thickness coated on one side with a layer of polyethylene of about .002 inch thickness and having on the other side aluminum foil of a thickness of about .00035 inch. The total thickness is thus about .007 inch. Such stock is flexible but at the same time has a desired degree of stiffness, the utility of which will become apparent. It has been found that several laminated stocks in the range of about .OO4.O()9

are described only for purposes of disclosure and are a not considered to be necessarily limitative upon the invention. While it is possible to make a container from a stock that is entirely limp, it will be apparent that the advantages of our invention are not fully realized unless the stock has a degree of stiffness generally equivalent to that of the stock just described. This stiffness enables the container walls to retain the desired initial position without being deformed by the weight of the contents.

It is well known in the art that stock is usually supplied in a roll from which the stock is unrolled as a continuous web that is formed into a tubular shape and then severed at regular intervals to form individual containers. The initial stage is to wrap the web around a cylindrical mandrel to form a tubular member 11 shown in partial cross-section in FIG. 4. If the web is of stock sealable on one side only, that side becomes the inside surface of the container. The tube 11 is formed by bringing the two longitudinal edges of the web together as at 12 so that the inside faces of the longitudinal marginal portions of the web are in contact with each other. These .edge portions 12 are sealed together by the application of heat and pressure in a suitable manner. This is normally accomplished while the edge portions project outwardly from the cylindrical member 11. The projecting seam 12 is then folded over to the position 12a indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 4, in which the seam lies against an unsealed portion of the tube Wall.

After seam 12 is formed, the ends of the tube are closed in order to form a container. Normally the lower or free end of the container is closed first, the upper or second end being closed later after the container is filled.

The closure at the bottom end of the container is formed by bringing marginal portions of the end of the tube into contact with opposing marginal portions and sealing them together in a manner to produce three flat, radially extending seals 15. Each seal extends radially of axis 14 of the container and consists of two thicknesses of stock sealed together face-to-face. These radial seals meet each other substantially at the longitudinal axis 14 of the tubular container whereby the container is completely closed at its lower end. The bottom edge 15a of each of the three seals 15 is preferably made a straight line, all three edges lying in a common plane. The container can rest on these bottom edges in an upright position with axis 14 vertical as shown in FIG. 1. This shape of edges 15a affords maximum stability in the upright position for a container of given dimensions. Since the entire edge 15a, or substantially all, is in contact with the supporting surface, the load on the seal 15 is uniformly distributed along the full length of the seal, to obvious advantage.

The upper end of the container is closed in a manner similar to closing the lower end by radial seals 16 and 17 which are formed in the same manner as seals 15.

eals 16 may differ from seals 17 in that it is broader than the seals 17 and has within it a pouring channel 20 which communicates at one end with the interior of container 19. Channel 20 extends into but not across the sealed area 16 so that it is closed at its outer end by this seal. Channel 20 is located adjacent the periphery of cylinder 10 and at the outer end of the radial seal 16.

In order to facilitate opening pouring channel 20 there is provided a line of weakness in sealed area 16 that, when projected, crosses the pouring channel near its outer end. This line of weakness may be provided in any suitable manner as by scoring or by providing a row of perforations 21 which intersects the end edge of the seal and extends toward but not into channel 20. Thus a person desiring to open the container to empty its contents through channel 20 can tear the container wall along the line of weakness 21 which facilitates opening the channel at the proper position.

As an alternative, a pouring channel may be placed in each of the three seals 16 and 17, and properly sized to permit the container to be used as a shaker to dispense powdered materials.

The end edges of sealed areas 15 are all located in a common plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the container in order to establish a strong base upon which the container can rest. In this rest position, channel 21 is at the top of the container. It is obviously undesirable to rest the container on the upper end after channel 21]) has been opened and as a visual indication that the upper end is not to be used as a base, the end edges 16a and 17a of seals 16 and 17 respectively are preferably so located that the container cannot be made to stand up on that end. For example they make an angle other than a right angle with the container axis. While the one seal 16 has been made more prominent to draw attention to its as containing the pouring channel, all three edges 16a and 17a may have a similar slope upwardly to the center to provide a peaked or pointed upper end on the container.

The stock from which the container is made is stiff enough to crumple irregularly when the end radial seals are formed unless some provision is made to prevent this condition. Accordingly, it is preferable to score the stock along arcuate lines 24 prior to forming the container in order that the container Walls will bend or indent along these preformed lines and thus provide a regular and attractive appearance to the finished container. Score lines 24 terminate at each end at the outer ends of seals 15, 16 or 17. In between these ends the score lines are given a smooth curve having any shape desired and that is suitable to the material used. All the score lines 24 are the same shape at each end of the package so that the package is provided at each end with three similarly shaped and symmetrically located indentations 25 which form the transitions in the container walls between the central portion and the radial seals.

Each score line 24 defines the outline of an indentation 25 to limit and shape the indentation in a desired manner. The intermediate portion of the container 10 between upper and lower indentations is tubular in shape but not necessarily circular in cross section, as may be seen in FIG. 3. It is preferred that the height of the indentations be not more than one third the height of the container, making the intermediate tubular portion onethird or more of the height. This has several advantages. One is an attractive appearance. Another is the container is stable on its side, so that several of them stack well on a shelf or in a shipping carton. Also there is a favorable ratio of area of stock used to volume of contents. The intermediate section approaches a cylinder in shape which is the optimum shape for a tube. Actually, with these proportions, about one-half of the length of the container departs but little from an optimum ratio. This is increased as the container is elongated and the indentations represent a smaller part of its length.

Longitudinal seal 12a is preferably located so that at its ends it crosses a radial seal at or near the central meeting point of these seals. The longitudinal seal extends across two indentations 25 and two of the score lines 24. The angular configuration imparted to scam 12a as it crosses each of score lines 24- canses the seam to lie fiat against the external surface of the container and to resist any tendency to bend up and extend outwardly. away from the container wall.

Since the container must rest on at least three points to be stable, three radial seals is the minimum number at the lower end. This arrangement also has the advantage of reducing the number of sealing elements in the machine for forming the container. However the invention is not limited to three radial seals and the number of them may be decreased as desired. As an example, there is shown in FIG. 5 a container b having four radial seals 15b spaced 90 from each other. Of course the length of stock available to make these seals is constant for a container of given size and therefore an increase in the number of seals reduces their radial length.

-A container with four radial seals 15b is constructed in the same manner as already described, except that four indentations b are present and accordingly the number of score lines 24 is increased from three to four. The longitudinal seam 12a is still preferably located centrally of an indentation 25b so that it crosses the end radial seals at their central meeting point.

Instead of a pouring channel located entirely in one seal 16 or 17, the container may be provided with a single discharge opening centrally located in the top. This may take various forms. For example, a preformed pouring channel may be opened by tearing off a portion of the container at the pointed top, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6. In this form of the invention, the container Me is formed as previously described except that the three radial seals 27 at the upper end of the container are all alike, are preferably made wider than previously illustrated, and are shaped to define a centrally located pouring channel 28. This pouring channel is located at the junction of the three seals 27 and is closed by them at its outer end while remaining open at its inner end to communuicate with the interior of the container.

To facilitate opening the pouring channel at or near the outer end, each of the three seals 27 is provided with a row of perforations 30, or other suitable means defining a line of weakness, which, when projected, crosses the channel near its outer end. The three rows of perforations not only make tearing the seals easier but each row directs the tear in one seal to intersect the pouring channel near its outer end. Each radial seal 27 is perforated so that the entire tip of the container may be removed, thus opening channel 28 so that the contents of the container may be emptied by inverting the container.

In the absence of a preformed pouring channel, the container may be opened by the user making a centrally located channel. Such an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Here the container 10d is like container 100 previously described except that the three radial seals 31 at the upper end of the container meet at their inner ends to eliminate channel 28, but are not sealed together at the extreme tip of the container. At the extreme tip 32, the walls are in face-to-face relationship but are unsealed in order to leave between them a space which serves as a guide to receive the pointed shank of stopper 33. This stopper has a tapered shank 330. that is preferably triangular in transverse cross section to have edges corresponding in number to the radial seals. The point of the stopper shank is inserted in guide 32 and pressed downwardly along the axis of the container to the position of FIG. 8 to force the stopper shank into the container. The shank is inserted with the angular edges in position to spread apart the walls where they have been sealed together, as shown in FIG. 9. When the stopper is withdrawn as in FIG. 10, a centrally located discharge passage 35 remains in the container. If desired, the .stopper 33 may be re-inserted in the container (FIG. 8) after discharge of a portion of the contents to prevent evaporation or entry of foreign particles thus permitting the container to be used as a multiple-use container in which a portion of the contents are stored for a time after the container is originally opened. The stopper is preferably provided with a rounded head as shown, or a head of other suitable design, to facilitate insertion and removal of the stopper.

In the forms shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the top of the container is made sharper or more pointed than in FIG. 2. It is preferable that the included angle between the top edges 3% of the radial seals be less than as shown.

In all forms of the invention, it is contemplated that the container is to be opened at one end only for discharge of contents and is therefore set down on the other end as a base if only partially emptied. This position prevents accidental discharge of the contents. Directions to this effect may be included in the text and other matter printed on the container.

Such printing is done on the web prior to forming the container and is accurately positioned to appear in a predetermined position on the finished container. Printing should not cross any of the score lines 24. Printing is preferred on the central tubular portion of the container, but it may also appear on and within any of the indented areas. In the first case it is between arcuate score lines 24 at opposite ends; in the other case it is within an area largely bounded by a score line. The text or other indicia may be relied on to distinguish between the ends of the package, and will therefore be oriented and located to be read most easily when the container is standing upright, as in FIG. 2. Such indicia to indicate the base end on which the container rests or conversely the end to be uppermost, are used to secure the desired orientation of the container while resting, and to overcome the natural tendency to rest the container on its side or in some other position than the upright position.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that various changes may be made in the shape and design of the elements of our novel container without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention. Accordingly it is to be understood that the above description is considered to be illustrative of, rather than limitative upon the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A dispensing package comprising:

a quantity of material to be dispensed;

and a tubular container enclosing said material and formed from a section of a continuous web of thin flexible material having one heat sealable face, said tubular container having opposing longitudinal marginal portions of said web joined together to form a longitudinally extending seam with no cut edge of the Web exposed to the material within the container, and said container having at each end marginal portions sealed together face-to-face' to close the container and to form at one end of the container three radially extending end seals of substantially equal radial length that meet centrally of the container and that have one edge substantially in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of the container to provide a base upon which the package rests.

2. A dispensing package as in claim 1 in which the container has at each end a plurality of arcuate score lines to facilitate bending the web along these lines and thereby define indented areas between the radial end seals, the ends of each score line coinciding with the outer end of a radial seal.

3. A dispensing package as in claim 1 in which the container has at each end a plurality of arcuate score lines which form boundaries of indented portions of the container adjoining the radially extending seals, the score lines at opposite ends of the container being spaced apart a distance equal to at least one-third of the overall length of the container to provide a central tubular section.

4. A dispensing package as in claim 1 in which one radial seal at the end of the container opposite the base has a broad sealed area and a pouring channel adjacent the outer end of said one radial seal, said channel communicating with the interior of the container and extending into but not across the broad sealed area.

A dispensing package as in claim 3 in which indicia are printed on the container in a position to be confined to an area not crossing score lines at opposite ends of the container.

6. A dispensing package as in claim 4 that also includes a line of weakness formed in the broad sealed area and extending from the outer edge thereof in a direction to intersect the pouring channel to facilitate removal of a portion of the radial seal to open the channel.

7. A dispensing package comprising:

a quantity of material to be dispensed;

and a tubular container enclosing said material and formed from a section of a continuous web of thin flexible material having one heat scalable face, said tubular container having joined together face-to-face opposing longitudinal marginal portions of said web to form a longitudinally extending seam folded over toward an outside surface of the container, and said container having at each end marginal portions sea d together face-to-face to form at at least one end of the container three radially extending end seals of substantially equal radial length that meet centrally of the container and that have one edge substantially in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of the container to provide a base upon which the container rests, said longitudinal seam crossing the end seals at both ends of the container.

8. A dispensing container comprising:

a quantity of material to be dispensed;

and a tubular container enclosing said material and having at each of two opposite ends a closure formed by marginal portions of the tube sealed together faceto-face to form a plurality in excess or" two of radially extending seals of substantially equal radial length, said seals being substantially equiangularly spaced and meeting centrally of the container to define a centrally located and axially extending pouring channel extending into the sealed area to be closed at its outer end by the sealed area.

9. A dispensing container comprising:

a quantity of material to be dispensed;

and a tubular container enclosing said material and having at each of two opposite ends a closure formed by marginal portions of the tube sealed together face-to-face to form three radially extending seals of substantially equal radial length, said seals being substantially equiangularly spaced and meeting centrally of the container;

and a plug having a tapered shank of triangular crosssection insertable in the seals centrally of the container at one end thereof to form an axially extending pouring channel, the plug being removable and subsequently replaceable to close the channel.

10. A dispensing container comprising:

a quantity of material to be dispensed;

and a tubular container enclosing said material and having at each of two opposite ends a closure formed by marginal portions of the tube sealed together face-to-face to form three radially extending seals of substantially equal radial length, the seals at one end of the container all having an edge substantially in a common plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, and the seals at the other end of the container having a centrally located and axially extending pouring channel at the junction of the three seals.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10 in which the included angle between the edges of the seals at said other end is less than and each of the seals has a line of weakness starting at said edge and extending in a direction to intersect the pouring channel whereby the tip of the container may be removed to open the pouring channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,072,987 Porter Sept. 9, 1913 2,053,298 1Reed Sept. 8, 1936 2,058,592 Karlsson-Ygger Oct. 27, 1936 2,189,174 Hohl Feb. 6, 1940 2,234,655 Salfisberg Mar. 11, 1941 2,260,064 Stokes Oct. 21, 1941 2,363,148 Rosen Nov. 21, 1944 2,444,722 Bogoslowsky July 6, 1948 2,578,445 Nicoli Dec. 11, 1951 2,741,079 Rausing Apr. 10, 1956 2,919,800 Jarund Jan. 5, 1960 2,923,404 Adell Feb. 2, 1960 

